I've been busy changing the format of my website to be mobile friendly so I haven't had a lot of time to draw. I really miss it so I had to come up with a plan to keep me content while I do "business" work.

I found a great little video that shows how to draw multiple cartoon characters with just a basic template. The video runs for about 3 minutes and I am sure that you will not regret watching it.

This quick process is so easy! I've showed it to a few people and now they are drawing little cartoons constantly, even though some of them have never shown an interest in drawing before. How exciting is that?

Ok, I won't keep you in suspense any longer, you can watch the video now but don't forget to come back here because I have more news for you.

Here is an example of my cartoon using that template - it took mere seconds to produce...

Enjoy experimenting with the template and move outside your limitations to be more creative. There is no harm if they don't work out, remember you are still getting results that ultimately lead to your success.

My next exciting bit of news is about an art course that we are all invited to participate in, at no charge.

On our All About Drawings Facebook page, Sue shared a link to 6 free lessons at the Derwent Academy. I signed up recently and it really is terrific, thanks Sue!

Once you complete the 6 classes, you receive a certificate from the Academy and a wooden box of 18 Derwent pencils. That is such a generous gift and wonderful encouragement to compel us to finish.

The Derwent Art Academy is based in the U.K. but it doesn't matter where you live, you will receive the gift.

There are a few things you need to know though:

As you complete each lesson, you have to upload your drawing to their site via the "upload" button under the video. That means you have to scan your drawing and save it to your computer.

You have to wait for an email before you can progress on to the next lesson. It's a good idea to Bookmark their site because they don't send you a link.

Lessons 4, 5 and 6 are about colors so you need to have a set of color pencils, watercolor paints and oil pastels.

They don't critique your drawings, they only want to see that you have attempted to do the exercise so don't fret or waste any time over getting your artwork perfect.

I was a little disappointed the classes went away from graphite but once I started the color lessons, I really enjoyed them. Lesson 3 was my favorite because they share many ways to achieve different effects with pencil.

As far as I can tell, there doesn't appear to be any time restraints for completing each lesson so just enjoy them!

If you don't want to do the lessons, you can still see the great range of hints and tips the Academy staff kindly share with everyone.

Drawing Tip of the Month

To improve your observation skills, give yourself the daily challenge of recreating something that you saw during the day and portray it as best you can.

This can be anything like a cup, a car or a building, etc, - you decide and set the challenge as easy or hard as you want it to be. It doesn't matter, it all works towards improving your memory and forcing yourself to be more observant.

I am a classic case of unobservant! I'm a bit old to be trying to change that but the fact is I can do it.

The drawing process is to look, study, portray. Look, study, portray. This daily challenge will strengthen your ability to retain more detail and portray more accurately.

Handy Links

Here are some online drawing books that I bought to help me when I first started to draw. They all have a money-back guarantee which is fantastic because the books I like may not necessarily be the same ones you like.